The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s (Tribe) Environmental Programs Office in the Natural Resources Department manages programs to enhance and protect the environment and health of the population on and near the Coeur d’Alene Reservation. The addition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 128(a) Tribal Response Program (TRP), otherwise known as Brownfields, allows the Tribe to address the management and restoration of potentially contaminated and/or contaminated properties that may affect Tribal lands.
Read, Print, and Share the Brownfields public record
Read, Print, and Share the Brownfields public record
Read and share the benefits of managing waste responsibly!
Learn more about Plummer Pole Yard Vision to Action project here
Brownfield projects pose unique challenges, often lacking a clear redevelopment path. The Vision To Action (V2A) process uses established community planning methods to engage stakeholders—including municipal staff, residents, and business owners—in workshops. Here, they set goals, visualize development concepts, evaluate alternatives, and formulate a strategy for redevelopment. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and The Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) went through a four-step V2A process to mobilize community involvement by envisioning reuse and creating actionable plans at the site.
The Workshop Summary 1 report can be found here:
Vision to Action Summary Report for the Plummer Pole Yard
Vision to Action Summary Report for the Plummer Pole Yard
The Workshop 2 Final Summary and Plan can be found here:
Vision to Action Final Summary Plan for the Plummer Pole YardPlummer Pole Yard: Equitable Brownfield Redevelopment
The City of Plummer Idaho and Coeur d’Alene Tribe have partnered to redevelop a large former brownfield in the center of town. This video details the community engagement and end use planning completed in Summer 2024 through the Center for Creative Land Recycling’s Vision to Action process.
Help Identify Properties for Brownfields Assessment
Use this form to suggest a property that may be considered for environmental review through the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Brownfields Program and available EPA Brownfields funding, including the Tribal Response Program and Community-Wide Assessment Grant.
Brownfields Property Nomination Form
Read, Print, and Share Information about the Brownfield Program.
Community Wide Assessment Grant
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe Environmental Programs Office is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to perform a professional services contract to assist with the implementation of its FY25 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant (Grant). The Grant will support various activities that focus on identifying, assessing, and planning the cleanup and reuse of brownfield properties located throughout the Coeur d’Alene reservation.
Click here to learn more about the Tribe’s Community-Wide Assessment Grant
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a Brownfield?
A. A Brownfield is a property where the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants may complicate its expansion, redevelopment, or reuse. These sites can range from old industrial properties to abandoned buildings.
Q. What to do if you would like to request a property be added to the Brownfield’s inventory list?
A. If you would like to request a property be considered for the Brownfields inventory, please contact the Environmental Programs Office (EPO). They will review the property’s history, conduct an initial assessment, and determine its eligibility for the inventory.
Q. Does the Tribe maintain an inventory of Brownfield sites
A. Yes, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe maintains an inventory of known Brownfield sites within the reservation. This inventory helps prioritize sites for cleanup and redevelopment efforts.
Q. Are there brownfield sites in my community? How can I find out?
A. There may be Brownfield sites in your community. To find out, you can contact our office for more information on potential sites near you. Additionally, the EPA offers a public database called the “EPA Cleanups in My Community” tool, which allows you to search for Brownfield sites by location. Although it primarily focuses on national sites, it may include relevant information for your area. Visit EPA Cleanups in My Community to learn more.
Q. How does EPO assess Brownfield sites?
A. The EPO assesses Brownfield sites through a phased approach, including a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to review the site’s history and a Phase II ESA to conduct soil and groundwater sampling if necessary.
Q. Does the Tribe cleanup Brownfield sites?
A. Yes, the Tribe collaborates with federal, state, and local partners to clean up Brownfield sites. The Environmental Programs Office (EPO) oversees the cleanup process to ensure the property is safe for redevelopment and reuse. For a list of activities on prior Brownfield properties, click here.
Q. Can Brownfields work be conducted on privately owned properties?
A. Yes, Brownfields work can be conducted on privately owned properties if the owner agrees to participate in the program and meets certain criteria. The EPO will work with private landowners to assess and clean up contaminated sites.
Q. If I didn’t cause the contamination on my property, who is responsible for cleaning it up?
A. Responsibility for cleanup may vary depending on the property’s history and legal framework. The Brownfields program can provide assistance with cleanup even if you are not responsible for the contamination, offering pathways to address contamination through federal and state support.